Date: November 25, 2011
Location: 398 Church Street (north of Gerrard St. E.), Toronto
Website: http://guu-izakaya.com/
Meal: dinner
My thoughts:
I've been here a number of times, but if my memory serves me, this is the first time I am blogging about it - which is a shame, because I love this place! From you moment you step into this restaurant, it will be hard not to notice the fun and lively atmosphere. Upon entering the restaurant, you will be greeted by the loud and animated (and sometimes somewhat quirky) staff in Japanese. Please note that this place does not serve sushi, but not one of the friends that I have brought here has been disappointed after their meal.
Anyway, I came here with two of my girlfriends to celebrate a birthday. We ordered the usual:
Okonomiyaki ($6.80) - a deep fried Japanese-style savoury pancake with squid and tonkatsu sauce and karashi mayo drizzled on top. Delish!
Takoyaki ($5.00) - takoyakis are sometimes called mini octopus balls. This dish were quite similar in taste to the okonomiyakis, except that they had octupus instead of squid (tasted the same to me though). This was also deep-fried and served with tonkatsu sauce adn karashi mayo. Very soft and moist. Yum!
Unagi doria ($9.30) - I liken this to risotto, Japanese-style and with eel, mixed mushrooms and cheese (mozzarella, I believe). This might just be my favourite dish at this restaurant. It is very unique because you would never think that cheese (and no, I'm not talking parmesan) and rice would pair so well together (at least I wouldn't), yet somehow it works. Every time I have this, it tastes just like.. the firrrrst tiiime. Haha, I'm losing it. Anyway, just try this and let the dish speak for itself.
We also ordered some dishes we'd never tried before...
Ikapiri ($6.50) - deep-fried calamari with spicy ketchup and wasabi mayo. This was really good and crispy, but this was nothing special. I've had similar tasting calamari at dim sum restaurants.
Karubi ($6.80) - salt and pepper grilled beef short ribs with scallion soy sauce. These were really, really salty, even without the soy sauce. The meat itself was sliced thin, and a bit burnt. Was not a fan.
As for drinks...
Sapporo ($5) - a smooth draft beer from Japan.
Bamboo ($6.00) - melon liqueur, whtie wine, lychee juice, soda. I love the taste of alcohol and lychee together.
Macha Coco ($6.50) - malibu, matcha, milk, whipped cream. This drink was okay, but a little too rich for my liking. Won't be ordering this one again.
Seven samurai ($16) - this was on their specials menu. This was essentially a tower of sake shooters. We ordered this for the birthday girl, and the restaurant staff all sang happy birthday. It was fun. If you've never had sake, it is a rice wine and most people either love it or hate it.
Anyway, I came here with two of my girlfriends to celebrate a birthday. We ordered the usual:
Okonomiyaki ($6.80) - a deep fried Japanese-style savoury pancake with squid and tonkatsu sauce and karashi mayo drizzled on top. Delish!
Takoyaki ($5.00) - takoyakis are sometimes called mini octopus balls. This dish were quite similar in taste to the okonomiyakis, except that they had octupus instead of squid (tasted the same to me though). This was also deep-fried and served with tonkatsu sauce adn karashi mayo. Very soft and moist. Yum!
Unagi doria ($9.30) - I liken this to risotto, Japanese-style and with eel, mixed mushrooms and cheese (mozzarella, I believe). This might just be my favourite dish at this restaurant. It is very unique because you would never think that cheese (and no, I'm not talking parmesan) and rice would pair so well together (at least I wouldn't), yet somehow it works. Every time I have this, it tastes just like.. the firrrrst tiiime. Haha, I'm losing it. Anyway, just try this and let the dish speak for itself.
We also ordered some dishes we'd never tried before...
Ikapiri ($6.50) - deep-fried calamari with spicy ketchup and wasabi mayo. This was really good and crispy, but this was nothing special. I've had similar tasting calamari at dim sum restaurants.
Karubi ($6.80) - salt and pepper grilled beef short ribs with scallion soy sauce. These were really, really salty, even without the soy sauce. The meat itself was sliced thin, and a bit burnt. Was not a fan.
As for drinks...
Sapporo ($5) - a smooth draft beer from Japan.
Bamboo ($6.00) - melon liqueur, whtie wine, lychee juice, soda. I love the taste of alcohol and lychee together.
Macha Coco ($6.50) - malibu, matcha, milk, whipped cream. This drink was okay, but a little too rich for my liking. Won't be ordering this one again.
Seven samurai ($16) - this was on their specials menu. This was essentially a tower of sake shooters. We ordered this for the birthday girl, and the restaurant staff all sang happy birthday. It was fun. If you've never had sake, it is a rice wine and most people either love it or hate it.
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